Bipolar Support Group

Hi Gypsy,

My husband was on 300 mg Lamictal and 1800mg Lithium for a couple of years. 2 years ago we added Abilify at 20mg but I never did think it was enough. The insurance wantwd him off Abilify so the dr. Weaned him off and onto Seroqel. Oh boy was that ever a disaster. We are still trying to pick up the pieces of our lives. Now he is back on Abilify at 40mg along with anothr 300mg lithium for a total of 2100 and 500mg of depakote too. I don't see many posts from people on this much "stuff" but right up until the addition of depakote he still had the irritableness and the lying and the impulsive actions, though all of that is getting less as we add higher doses or new meds.

Though he never tried trileptal, he did try tegratol which just did not do well. He started getting more and depressed but it was so sneaky he said he felt like he had always felt that way and his whole life was an act. Different strokes for different folks though. He has only been on the depakote for less than a week. I pray it, with all the others, will do thr trick and help keep him safe and most importantly sane.

Good luck to you,

Cbond812

Jodi, you are totally right about it taking a long time to find what works for you. I'm on the following drugs:

Cymbalta - 120mg

Wellbutrin - 150mg

Abilify - 30 mg

Klonopin 1mg prn

Restoril - 30mg

Vistaril - 30mg

Triliptal - 600mg

I just got out of a crisis unit today where I've been living on bad food and bad conversation.

I feel like they're never gonna get it right. I feel like a rat in a cage. At what point do you say "uncle"?

Anyway that's my story and I hope the drugs you are taking are working for you. Take care.

Autumn

[b] listen ive been on triliptal in the past and it worked great. i had to try that because the depakote made me dopey and fat. back on it again after having my son. and it has leveled me out a little bit . i also take risperdal, and neuranton. hang in there it take a while and some adjustments to get it rright. dude sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride/

I take Lithium and Risperdal. Except I do not take the risperdal because I get sleepy throughout the day and when it wears off I feel depressed does that happen to you too Debbie11

Plus clonazepam for my nerves and ambien to sleep

I am back on Trileptal. It is working better this time. I think I might need it increased, though. I have been on Lithium for a while, and have just transitioned from Lithium to Trileptal. I feek really agitated.

I have been taking my anxiety medication. It's been helping.

My son takes Respirdal. He takes it at night, It works well that way for him.

i got the rash with lamictal... and i took trileptal for 3 weeks with no improvements-

i have tried so many combos- i dont know what to try next.

i gained 35 lbs on depakote.

I have been taking Triptal for about a month now. I really like how it has leveled my mood, but I get very sleep durning the day and have to lay down for awhile. But again I love what it has done to stabalize me and so does my husband. He says I'm much easier to live with. LOL with all my heart, Jeanne

I just transtiones from Lithium(Eskalith) to a small dose of Trileptal. It was my last resource!! Sadly, I was either allergic to evrything or stopped working All I can say is that it has been the best 2 weeks of my LIFE. I am calmer, thinking more clearly, and above all my mood swings are in tact. But what is good for one person isn't necessarily good for another! I can't take any sleeping meds they either don't work, get me going, or make me feel to hung over! All I can say is just keep trying and eventually you will find the right cocktail! But if the sideeffects are not that bad than give it more time...if not than discuss other options with your doc!!

I have now been on Trileptal 1 1/2 months. I am doing great. I still cycle but it's not so intense. It seems like a lighter version of Lithium. I used to have intense episodes. I don't get as angry anymore.

I think it has helped me with my depression, and anxiety, too. I am just as motivated as I was with Lithium, but not as focussed..LOL.

I seem to be able to be my self more, too. I think the Lithium fogged them out a little. I am also taking Lamictal,400 mg, Buspar, 45 mg, Hydroxyzine as a Prn, and Zyprexa for those break through days, and Ambien for sleep. The Lamictal has been a consistant one. I don't think the Buspar is doing anything, anymore.

i think i might end up trying trileptal again... i dont really have very many other options and perhaps i did not hit a therapeutic dose?